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Spending Holiday Season in home sweet home.
Have you ever tried to spend Christmas in Philippines? Or I will rephrase my question, Have you been in Philippines before?
I want to share how Christmas is being spent in my beloved country. Filipinos value closed-family ties follow norms and mores, hospitable and have unique traditions in celebrating advent season.
Before going further, let me start how I felt and spent holiday seasons away from my loved-ones.
It was November 2008, when opportunity knocks at my door. I was so eager to try my luck abroad. I immediately informed my parents and brothers about my decision and plan.
To work as an Overseas Filipino Worker is a tough decision making I made. As what others say, “You will be able to know how others can feel, if you put yourself in the same shoe”.
I informed the company I was working at that time about my career move. I didn’t file for resignation. I informed them if ever I finished my contract, I am willing to re-apply and work with them again. Luckily my superior released me without so much ado.
On December 5 same years, I bid goodbye to my colleagues and friends. I called my parents about my flight the following day and let them inform my grandmother about it. My father went straight to Manila to accompany me in the airport.
On December 6, I was teary-eyed as I made a phone call at home. That was the day of my flight. As I was holding my passport and other travel documents, I thank God about the wonderful Christmas gift He gave me.
On the other hand, I felt mixed emotions. I am happy but my eyes couldn’t tell the truth. I was talking to my father and asked how will be their Christmas and New Year without me. I stared within the eyes of my Father and there was sudden sadness.
I hugged and kissed my loving Father before I enter the lobby. As the airplane take off from the runway, I was praying hard to God to give me more strength to overcome the emotions within me. By God’s grace, I successfully finished my contract with extension.
I experienced lonely Christmases and New Years in a country new to me. I missed children caroling, attending nine mornings before Christmas, a sumptuous “Noche Buena” on Christmas Eve, and exchanging of gifts. Giving tokens to godchildren, nephews, and nieces, and in return they are going to bless your hand saying, “Mano po Ninang, salamat po” or “Bless Tita, Merry Christmas, salamat Tita”.
As Christmas is fast approaching, spending holiday seasons in my beloved country is far different from others.
We all know that not all Filipinos can celebrate Christmas extravagantly. But we are practical people and easily contented on what we have in front of the table. What matters most, we remember the birth of Jesus Christ and it’s time of bonding and sharing with the rest of loved -ones and friends.
We may have different cultures and traditions. The bottom line is, we respect others tradition in celebrating such big event once in a year
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